America's Cup sailing great Dennis Conner believes Team New Zealand should extend an olive branch to Sir Russell Coutts, to strengthen their chance of winning in Auckland in 2021.
Conner is a four-time winner of the oldest prize in sports and is known as "Mr America's Cup", and thinks Sir Russell, a five-time winner, should be involved in some way as the team prepares for their Cup defence.
- Despite potential Australian challenge, Team New Zealand skipper Glen Ashby wants in for Cup defence
- America's Cup 2021: Fair playing field key in establishing new America's Cup protocol – Grant Dalton
Speaking to RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport, Conner said Team New Zealand needs to make it as hard as possible for other teams to take the Cup away, and bringing Sir Russell on board would help.
"If I was trying to win, [Sir Russell] would certainly be involved," said Conner.
"Who is smarter about the America's Cup than Russell Coutts? No one. He won more events, he knows more about it, he knows how to win, so why wouldn't you want the best guy in your country involved?
"If he is not involved, they are giving a break to the foreigners. I'd make amends with Russell. If there are any hard feelings, just get over it."
Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton announced the protocol for the 2021 regatta on Friday, which features a number of changes.
The boats used will be 75-foot monohulls with 10 to 12 sailors, while 20 percent of the crew must be a citizen of the country they are racing for or must be physically in the country for 380 days from Sept 1 2018-Sept 1 2020.
Conner hasn't seen all of the new protocol's details yet, but said from what he had seen, New Zealand is in a good spot to retain the Cup.
"I think they are switched on. I think they have a feel for what's right and wrong and I hope the new protocols favour them in the long run, because New Zealand is the place where the America's Cup belongs," he said.
"I am looking forward to a spirited defence and I hope the New Zealand people enjoy it. They deserve it and should have won in San Francisco."
Newshub.
